It’s really embarrassing when you take a look at your shoulder and notice white, dandruff flakes staring back at you. You start to think of ways to dust off your -usually dark- sweater without attracting attention. Well, let’s learn a little bit about that frustrating scalp condition.
Who does it affect?
Dandruff affects teens, adults, and even babies (cradle cap condition, which causes a crust/scaly scalp, affecting new-borns up to the age of 1).
Is it serious, should I see a doctor?
Most cases don’t require a doctor’s attention as having dandruff isn’t a serious condition, but if itching persists after experimenting with over the counter (“OTC”) anti-dandruff shampoos, then have your dermatologist diagnose your condition.
What causes dandruff?
• Dry skin: winter season is the number one cause of dry skin due to cold weather, and less water intake. Dander as a result of dry skin tends to be less oily and smaller than the other types.
• Oily skin: this condition is a frequent cause of dandruff. It is also known as Seborrheic Dermatitis, which is marked by red, greasy skin that is covered with yellow/white scales. It affects areas rich in oil glands like, the face, ears, scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, and sometimes armpits.
• Shampoo: doesn’t aggravate nor cause dandruff (yup, that’s a myth). In fact not shampooing often enough, causes build up of oils, dirt, and cells on the scalp therefore leading causing flakes.
• Itching: whether its eczema or just simply itching, both cause the skin to break and flake.
• Sensitivity: this condition is referred to as “contact dermatitis”. Sensitivities to certain hair products causes a red, itchy, scaly scalp
• Fungal infection: a yeast-like fungus called “malassezia (P.ovale)” lives on the scalps of most healthy adults without causing problems. Sometimes it grows out of control and starts to feed on the oils secreted by hair follicles therefore irritating the skin. The cause of growth is unknown but factors like stress, immune deficiency, hormones, sensitivity, and many other disorders exacerbate its growth.
How can I control the condition?
Sometimes regular shampoo does the trick but patience and persistence are essential. There are many OTC dandruff shampoos available at your local drug-store so try them but give them a couple of weeks to work first. There are many different kinds of shampoos and that is why you need to experiment with them all and see which one works best for you. If one type of shampoo works for a time and then seems to lose its effectiveness, try alternating between two types of dandruff shampoos. Be sure to leave the shampoo on for at least five minutes — this gives the ingredients time to work.
Are there home remedies?
Yes, mix some vinegar (preferably cider) with your shampoo and rinse you hair. Alternative medicine techniques also recommend regular use of tea-tree oil as it is a natural fungicidal and has moisturizing properties.
What should I do if all this fails?
Visit a dermatologist as this could be something that is similar to dandruff or even head lice.